'The real reason the 'Single Legal Entity' is being promoted locally is because senior civil servants in the Isle of Man sense an opportunity to grab more power from the politicians. The reason it is being promoted from Scotland is because of vested interests waiting in the wings to market, in the Isle of Man, lucrative performance management programmes created in America.'

There has been much controversy but little resolution as to how the upper chamber of Tynwald should be elected. However, one clear objective is apparent in that it must be publicly elected in the future – the electoral college route being deemed as anachronistic.

Keys members are jealous of their primary legislative role and are reluctant to sanction any election procedure which lessons their primacy. Council members on the whole do not want constituencies as they feel that they might then become bogged down by local problems.

Over the last week Positive Action Group sent out a questionnaire to all candidates standing in the Douglas North and Douglas South byelections.

The intention was to survey candidates views in a manner that allows voters to easily compare against their own opinions - as good as Manifestos sometimes are, they are rather difficult to compare side by side.

To make the questionnaries as simple to complete as possible they feature a series of straightforward statements against for which the candidates may select one of six preset responses:

I think the most interesting areas for voters are where candidates opinions differed considerably, so these have been included within the summary. Full details are provided as an attachment.

GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE All except Bill agreed that the number of Departmental Members ought to be reduced.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION Only Bill felt that the forthcoming FoI Act will enable government transparency. Kurt, Keith and Amy did not.

PINEWOOD STUDIOSOnly Bill felt that Pinewood was a reasonable government investment. Kurt, Keith and Amy did not.

GOVERNMENT PENSIONS Only Kurt felt that the government should continue with a final salary pension scheme.

BENEFITSBill feels that Benefits are too generous, Kurt, Amy and Keith do not. Similarly Bill would also support introduction of a UK-style Benefits Cap, the other candidates not.

TOILET TAX Amy, Keith amd Kurt strongly disagreed with the statement that the 'Toilet Tax' as fair and does not require reform or removal. Bill was neutral.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Keith and Bill feel that the Island is well set to take advantage of emerging economic and technological develpments. Amy and Kurt do not.

SELF-SUFFICIENCY Amy felt the Island should be self sufficent in food, Keith disagreed, Kurt didn't know, and Bill was neutral.

WORK PERMITS Kurt does not think that the government need to 'tighten up' on Work permits, the other candidates do.

UK RELATIONS When asked whether we should be more independent of the UK, all candiates except Keith agreed. Keith was neutral.

HEALTH Kurt does not feel the GP service is adequate, Bill believes it is. Amy and Keith were neutral. All agree that the government Dentistry service is inadequate and that Nobles is not peforming as well as we should expect.

SOCIAL CARE Amy and Bill feel that social care is not adequare or fir for purpose, Keith and Kurt were neutral.

HOUSING All agree that we do not have enough housing stock and all but Amy are against the sale of stock - Amy was neutral. They all agree that any 'Landlord and Tenant' Act should apply equally to the private and public sector.

I think the most interesting areas for voters are where candidates opinions differed considerably, so these have all been included within the summary. Full details of teh questionnaire and responses are provided as an attachment.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Maire and David felt that the Island is well set to take part in emerging economic advancements, Ralph did not.

BENEFITS Ralph feels that Benefits are too generous, Maire does not and David was neutral on this. Ralph agrees that we should introduce a UK-style Benefits Cap, Maire and David do not.

HEALTH All feel that the public GP and Dentistry services are not adequate; Ralph and David also believe that Nobles should perform better, Maire was neutral.

SOCIAL CARE David believes we have adequate Social Care, Ralph and Maire do not.

HOUSING Ralph feels we have sufficient housing stock, Maire and David do not; Ralph would welcome a 'right to buy' policy but Maire and David do not. Ralph and Maire agree that any 'Landlord and Tenant' Act should apply equally to the private and public sector, David does not.